AROUND THE UP NORTH COMBINE
by Keith Simpson
I hope to have the rest of my reports done before the 2014 racing gets underway in the first Saturday of April. This week’s report will start with the 2014 British Homing World Show Of The Year. This year we had two new recruits for our Blackpool Show weekend trip. For the previous few years it has been Foxy Winspear, Hayden and me but this year my sister Shirley and my second grandson Tyler went along with us. It was not a bad drive over to Blackpool with no traffic hold ups and good weather. About an hour from Blackpool Hayden kept asking how long before we reached the seaside town, and he repeated the same question every 10 to 15 minutes. We arrived at the Rhyl Hotel and were welcomed by Hazel & Graham who quickly gave us our room keys, and after a quick look around the town it was back to the hotel to freshen up before our evening meal. My Dundee mate Steven Bannon never made the show this year as he had just recently started a new job, which is good to hear after being in and out of work the past couple of years. Steven first stayed at the Rhyl Hotel 2 years ago with his father John, and came on his own in 2013 as his father was not too well at the time. John Douglas & Cassie also failed to make the trip this time around because John was due to start some treatment for his recent illness. John & Cassie first stayed at the hotel in 2013 and enjoyed it that much that they booked for this year, and were very disappointed they would miss the Show weekend. But I’m more than sure that John & Cassie will be returning in 2015, and like Steven they were greatly missed as we had a very enjoyable time the previous year. The ever present John & June Chaplin always book into the hotel on the Friday and stay until Monday, a nice little break for the happy couple. Hazel & Graham had a new couple staying this year, when Rob Trathowen & Sharron Dean from Stoke booked up for the Show weekend. We never saw much of Rob & Sharron; they must have heard a few stories about John and kept a wide berth, but hopefully if we all make it in 2015 we will get to know more about each other.
Shirley & Foxy taking time out before the drive home
After the evening meal the five of us had a walk up to the Winter Gardens where the Denis Sapin birds were on show prior his sale. We bumped into Gordon Braban who was just going out for a quick fag. Brabs said there were some very nice birds in the sale, and on entering the room there was a very good crowd in the hall and after a look around the pens there were some cracking birds on offer. Just as I was about to settle down for the start of the sale Bob Fenech came over and said a quick hello. We waited a few minutes for the sale to start. The first few lots went very well, which once again proves good birds will bring good prices when the sale is well supported. Brabs did manage to purchase one of the early lots. I don’t know if that was in the hope of winning the following night’s lottery or he had got dressed with someone else’s pants on, but whatever the reason he had money in his pockets and the lad looked well pleased with his star buy. After the hammer had gone down on the next couple of birds we made our way to the amusements. Foxy stayed a while before drifting off for a few beers and on the hunt for a young vixen. After a few hours on the rides where Hayden & Tyler enjoyed themselves, we called for a quick snack before returning to the hotel. With Shirley, Hayden & Tyler making their way to bed but I stayed up a while for a few beers. Hazel & Graham always take a great interest in our views of the pigeon world. We always chat about a lot of things in and out of the sport, and it’s always a very good night which also gives everyone a chance to unwind after a long day. Any thoughts on had Foxy clicked were forgotten but he did end up with a Chinese; not a female but a Chinese meal at the sit in place around the corner. With time quickly ticking way it was time to turn in and give Hazel & Graham the chance of a few hours sleep before starting with the breakfasts the following morning.
Graham & Hazel Turner with Tyler
Once breakfast was over Foxy, Tyler & I had a walk up to the Winter Gardens. John & June had invited Shirley & Hayden along on a trip to Fleetwood Market. There were a few in the show but come lunch time it had quietened down a bit which gave people more space to walk around without bumping into each other. We had a chat to a number of people we knew including Les Winspear & John Cowey of Whitby, and we also had a few minutes talk to Foxy’s Whitby Clubmate Mark Noble who has with his friend. We had a look at the Fancy Pigeons before bumping into Doug Dobson & Jackie Savage of the St Marys (Grangetown) North Yorks Fed. Doug & Jackie were the winners of 1st and 2nd Club, 1st and 3rd Fed, 1st and 27th Up North Combine Eastbourne Yearling National in 2013 from a convoy of 7,312 birds. It was while talking to Doug & Jackie we were joined by Mo “Polo” Shutt, the former Billingham Ace come deep sea fisherman, who had travelled down for the day with the Gold Medal winning duo. Mo had not beeen too well of late but seemed to be getting back to health, so much so he was returning to work. We had a look at the Pigeons in War stand which was very interesting looking at the many pictures and achievements of the message carrying heroes; some 32 pigeons were honoured with the Dicken Medal known as the animal VC, after the war.
Sharron Dean & Rob Trathowen of Stoke
Next stop was the Scribes’ Room where once again we were made most welcome by Helen & Netty who made Foxy & me a coffee and Tyler a soft drink topped off with a biscuit. It was while we were talking that Tyler did what Hayden had done a couple of years ago, got stuck in the chair - I can’t take them anywhere. Steve Richards managed to take a few minutes out for a chat, and Rod Adams called in for a chat with one of his mates and took up the offer of a hot drink. Then it was onto collecting a few pigeons things we need for home, with Foxy having his hands full after receiving a few calls from his mates to get a few odd and ends for them. With him carrying more weight than a Grand National horse we thought it best to drop everything off at the hotel before returning to the Show. After the evening meal Hayden & Tyler spent another few hours on the amusement rides and then it was back to the hotel where the tired trio made their way up the stairs, while I relaxed with a few beers for a couple of hours in the company of Hazel, Graham, John & June before heading to bed. After Sunday breakfast it was back into town for a quick look around before setting off back home. Once again it was a very enjoyable weekend where Hayden & Tyler were very well behaved. Thanks to Hazel & Graham for another great weekend where we were well looked after, hope to see you again in 2015.
June, Hayden & John at the Rhyl Hotel.
Former Liverton Mines member John Warrell died peacefully in hospital on February 2nd, aged 65 years. John flew with Loftus flying as Warrell & Cockburn some years ago before the Liverton Mines Club was formed. John, who had left the sport a few years ago, was better known for his channel performances. The lad had the knack of winning from the distance races where he once won the first 5 club positions from Bourges 537 miles when flying with Liverton Mines. After his marriage to Judith Hart, who came from a pigeon family, John added his better half to the partnership, flying as Mr & Mrs Worrell. Once again John flew another good bird from over the water. After winning 1st Club, 1st Fed and 45th Up North Combine from the Folkestone Old Bird National in 1985 from a convoy of 19,679 birds, John & Judith went on to win an outstanding 1st Club, 1st Fed and 2nd UNC Beauvais when there were 11,349 birds competing. John & Judith recorded their third Federation win of the 1985 season when they won 1st Club, 1st Fed and 32nd UNC Bourges out of an entry of 3,660 birds. In that very same season Judith’s father Eric Hart who was flying in the same club won 1st Club, 1st Fed and 8th UNC Melun from a convoy of 7,026 birds. John was one of the sports characters who always had something to say about everyone. Be it good or bad he was always the same John Warrell everyone took too. He always said what he thought and that way you knew how you stood with him. I always found that if John couldn’t do you a good turn, then he wouldn’t do you a turn at all. The death of John will felt by a lot of people, from his family to everyone who had got to know him over the years, be it pigeon fanciers, drinking mates or bingo players. John is going to be sadly missed. My thoughts go out to John’s wife Judith, daughters Katie & Rebecca and grandchildren Callum, Danielle & Riley at their very sad loss. R.I.P. John “King Willy” Warrell.
I received a shock telephone call from my mate Simon Cole of Coventry informing me of the death of his mother Jean. I first came to know Simon’s father Bryan a number of years ago when he was staying on holiday in Skinningrove. Bryan was told by a former Clubmate to visit our loft. My brother Brian & me took to Bryan straight away and that is the reason Bryan visited our loft a few times over the years; due to Bryan’s own failing health he has not in visited for some time now. But Simon has called a few times while holidaying in Whitby, with Simon last calling in September. In the early days I got a bit of gifted fresh filleted fish off Foxy Winspear for Bryan & Jean to take back to Coventry. Bryan repaid the favour time and time again by donating prizes for the Charity race event I used to run. They always say that time is a great healer but with Bryan & Jean being married for 50 odd years, that very big hole that Jean has left will take some filling. Our thoughts are with Bryan & Simon at this very sad time, we are only a phone call away. R.I.P. Jean.
We have suffered a lot of strong winds and rain through the winter months, with some places taking a hammering. The weather has started to pick up a bit now with a few warmer sunny days behind us; many fanciers will be well on their way to filling their young bird perches. Now we are into March there will be a great number of breeder/buyer sales on the go where there will be some very good prize money up for grabs. The Pigeon Moots will also be in full swing where it gives fanciers the chance to learn a little bit more from the very successful pigeon fanciers who give up their time to give their account on their successful methods. It also gets you out of the house for a few hours after spending much of the long dark winter months indoors, a chance to catch up what has being happening around your area.
With time running out, I will close for another week. Any news to Good Corn 6 Boulby Drive Saltburn Cleveland TS13 4JN. Tel; 01287 643624 or Email:
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